Safety turntable for a ski binding

ABSTRACT

A safety turntable for a ski binding includes a member fixed to a ski and another member adapted to be attached to a ski with one of the members being cylindrical and the other member having a cylindrical recess for receiving the cylindrical member. The cylindrical portion of one of the members is provided with a circularly extending groove and the other member is provided with movable detent means allowing the two members to rotate relative to one another but permitting disconnection of the members at any angle of rotation. A safety strap for preventing loss of the ski may be attached between the two members.

United States Patentv Baukhage [151 3,672,695 1 June27, 1972 SAFETYTURNTABLE FOR A SKI BINDING [72] Inventor: Ernest Peter Baukhage, 180Edgewood Ave Mill Valley, Calif. 94941 [22] Filed: Nov. 20, 1962 [21]Appl.No.: 238,918

[52] U.S.Cl. ..280/11.35K

[51] Int.Cl ..A63c 9/082 [58] Field ofsearch ..280/11.35 A,11.13,11.3,11.36, 280/1137; 9/310 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS2,836,428 5/1958 Marker ..280/11.35C

2,954,236 9/1960 Osborn ...280/l1.35C

2,955,300 10/1960 Hedlundetal. ..9/31O 3,009,710 11/1961 Marker...280/11.35C

2,686,059 8/1954 Whitaker.... ...280/11.35A

3,061,325 10/1962 Glass ..280/11.35A

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Primary Examiner-Benjamin HershAssistant Examiner-Milton L. Smith Attorney-Edward J Keeling [5 7]ABSTRACT A safety turntable for a ski binding includes a member fixed toa ski and another member adapted to be attached to a ski with one of themembers being cylindrical and the other member having a cylindricalrecess for receiving the cylindrical member. The cylindrical portion ofone of the members is provided with a circularly extending groove andthe other member is provided with movable detent means allowing the twomembers to rotate relative to one another but permitting disconnectionof the members at any angle of rotation. A safety strap for preventingloss of the ski may be attached between the two members.

10 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUMN 1972 3. 672. 695

sum 2 or 2 1.23 I A-j INVENTOR ERNEST PETER RAUKHAGE I SAFETY TURNTABLEFOR A SKI BINDING This invention relates to methods and apparatus forreleasably binding a ski boot to a ski and more particularly thisinvention relates to a safety turntable for use in disconnectablyconnecting a ski boot to a ski.

In recent years skiing has become a' major participant sport. As is wellknown to ski enthusiasts, skiing is a stimulating and exhilaratingexperience. In alpine skiing high speeds ranging up to 60 to 70miles anhour and more are not uncommon. Even relatively unskilled skiers reachspeeds of 20 to 30 miles an hour. Much skiing is done in rough andunpacked snow. Skiing at high speeds and/or in heavy or uneven snowrequires that the skier have precise control over his skis.

In order to achieve this control, boots commonly known as ski boots,which fit snugly on the foot and extend up around the ankle are worn bythe skier. During the actual ski run the skier must afi'rx the ski bootto the ski in a manner which assures firm connection between the ski andthe boot in order to achieve the highest degree 'of control. In theultimate, the ski, the ski boot, and the skier should become as one sothat the ski responds to the slightest pressure from the skier.Therefore it is desirable that the connection between the ski and theskier be firm and have little if any free play.

There is however a limit to the desirability of unitary construction ofski, ski boot, and leg; and this limit occurs when the stresses placedon the leg by the ski reach a stage where damage to the leg results. Themodern ski usually ranges from about 5 to 7 feet in length depending onthe height and weight of the skier. Since the ski boot is desirablyfirmly attached to the ski for control, the ski is potentially a largelever arm for transmitting forces to the leg. Although the forces mayaffect the skier in any direction they may be generally divided into twoclasses for purposes of discussion. One type occurs when the ski forsome reason suddenly stops or slows down causing the skier to take aforward fall over the ski. This type of fall puts great stress on theskiers leg and particularly on the skiers Achilles tendon. The secondgeneral class is best describedas a twisting force which occurs when aforce is applied in the plane of the ski and across the ski. This typeof force can cause a broken leg.

Heretofore the potential danger tothe skier and particularly to theskiers legs has been recognized. Many attempts have been made indesigning and constructing bindings for affixing the ski boot to the skiwhich in the event of an accident will release the ski boot from theski. A number of these bindings have met with some degree of success.However there is still need for a safety ski binding for disconnectablyconnecting a ski boot to a ski which binding will firmly affix the skierto the ski to allow a maximum of control by the skier over the ski athigh speeds and in heavy snow under acceptable conditions of stress onthe skiers legs but which in the event of intolerable stress willrelease and allow the ski boot and the skiers leg to be safe from theforce transmitted by the ski. There is further a need for a binding ofsuch construction as to release the ski boot from the ski when anintolerable stress is applied to the skier in any direction; whether itbe a forward fall, a twisting fall, a sideward fall, or a backward fall.

A broad aspect of this invention is to provide a safety turntable foruse in disconnectably connecting a ski boot to a ski. The turntable ofthe present invention is used in combination with a toe portion of a skibinding to releasably affix a ski boot to a ski. In one aspect thisinvention provides a turntable for use in a ski binding comprising apair of cooperating members, one of said members adapted to be fixedlymounted to a ski and the other of said members having a portion foroperably seating a ski boot, and means disconnectably connecting saidmembers together and allowing relative angular movement between saidmembers, said means permitting said members to be disconnected at anyposition of relative angular alignment between said members by apredetermined force.

It is a particular object of this invention to provide a safetyturntable for disconnectably connecting the heel portion of a ski bootto a ski and which turntable when used in cooperation with a means forsecuring the toe of the ski boot to the ski will provide a binding whichprovides a firm solid connection between the ski and ski boot to insurea maximum of control by the skier over the ski under conditions ofacceptable stress but which in the event of intolerable stress willrelease the ski boot and permit the skiers leg to be safe from theeffect of the force applied by the ski.

Further objects and advantages of'the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description read in light of theaccompanying drawings which are a part of this specification and inwhich:

FIG. 1 is an elevation view and illustrates an embodiment of apparatusassembled according to this invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view, with parts broken away for clarity ofpresentation, and illustrates a preferred embodiment of apparatus inaccordance with this invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken at line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a section view taken at line 44 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken at line 55 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a plan view, with parts broken away for clarity, andillustrates an alternative embodiment of apparatus in ac cordance withthis invention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken at line 7--7 of FIG. 6.

Reference is now made to the drawings and to FIG. 1 in particular whichillustrates an embodiment of apparatus assembled in accordance with thisinvention and which is particularly helpful in understanding theinvention. A ski boot 20 is mounted on a ski 22 by means of a skibinding including a toe mounting portion indicated generally by thenumeral 24 and a heel mounting portion indicated generally by thenumeral 26. The heel portion 26 of the ski binding includes the safetyturntable of the present invention and it is indicated generally by thenumeral 30. Also illustrated are means for operably securing the skiboot 20 to the safety turntable 30. Suitable means for securing the skiboot 20 to the safety turntable 30 are a long thong and a spring linkagemeans 34.

The present invention provides a safety turntable 30 for use in bindinga ski boot 20 to a ski 22. In accordance with this invention the safetyturntable 30 is mounted on a ski 22 and has a portion for operablyscaring the heel portion 36 of a ski boot 20. A means 80 is provided forsecuring the ski boot 20 to the safety turntable. The heel mountingportion 26, including the safety turntable 30, cooperates with a toemounting portion 24 to operably secure a ski boot to a ski 22. In thisrespect it is pointed out that there are numerous commercially availabletoe mounting portions such as the toe mounting portion indicated as 24in FIG. 1. An automatically releasable safety toe binding portion isdescribed in US. Pat. No. 2,858,137 issued on Oct. 20, 1958 to HannesMarker. Although it is highly preferred to use a safety type toe bindingit is noted that the safety turntable of the present invention is notlimited to use with any particular toe binding portion and may be usedin combination with any suitable toe mounting and with any suitablemeans for attaching the safety turntable to the ski boot.

In FIG. 2 a preferred embodiment of apparatus assembled in accordancewith the present invention is illustrated in plan view, A portion of theupper part of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2 has been broken awayfor clarity of presentation. A first member 40 is adapted to be fixedlymounted to a ski. For example as illustrated in phantom in FIG. 2 thefirst member 40 is provided with suitable holes 48 for receiving woodscrews 41. The screws serve to fixedly mount the first member 40 to theski. A second member 42 is provided with a relative ly flat surfaceindicated by the numeral 43 for seating the heel portion of a ski boot.A means is provided for operably binding the ski boot to the secondmember 42. The first member 40 and the second member 42 are constructedas separated entities but they are capable of cooperating with eachother for relative angular motion when operably disconnectably connectedin accordance with this invention.

The first member 40 and the second member 42 are so constructed relativeto one another so that they cooperate for relative angular movement. Inthe preferred embodiment of the invention the first member 40 is ofgenerally circular form in plan view. The second member 42 is formed forcooperation with the fist member 40. The second member 42 is adapted tomove angularly with respect to the first member 40. A portion of thesecond member 42 is generally circular in plan viewso as to cooperatewith the first member for relative angular movement therewith. Thismanner of cooperation between the first member 40 which is adapted to befixedly mounted to a ski and the second member 42 which is adapted tooperably seat a ski boot permits a ski boot affixed to said secondmember to be rotated or moved angularly in a predetermined plane withrespect to the ski when the members are disconnectably connected. Whenoperably disconnectably connected together the second member which has aportion for seating a ski boot extends above the first member. That is,the ski boot is held on the second member and it is not permitted toseat on the fixedly mounted first member.

A means is provided for disconnectably connecting the first member 40and the second member 42. The first member 40 and the second member 42are disconnectably connected in a manner which permits no free play orwobble between the members when they are connected. The means fordisconnectably connecting the first member 40 and the second member 42permits relative angular movement in a predeterminable plane between themembers when they are disconnectably connected. That is, the secondmember 42 is rotatable about the first member 40 when the first memberis fixedly mounted to the ski. It is important to note however that themembers are disconnectable at all positions of relative angularalignment. The first member 40 and the second member 42 aredisconnectably connected and they may be disconnected by the applicationof a predetermined force. It is evident therefore that the safetyturntable of the present invention will operate upon application of apredetermined force on the skier from any direction.

With further reference to FIG. 2 and to FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. 5 thepreferred embodiment of apparatus in accordance with the presentinvention will be described in detail. The first member 40 is providedwith a groove 44. The groove 44 is adapted to receive a means movable ofthe second member 42 to disconnectably connect the first member 40 andthe second member 42. The means movable of the second member 42 may befor example a plurality ofv spheres 45. The groove is preferably acircularly extending groove having a center at the center of the firstmember 40 and a radius suitable for cooperation with the second member42. The groove is of a preselected size and shape, determined by theform of the means movable of the second member 42. The groove receivesand retains the means movable of the second member in such a manner asto permit the second member 42 to move angularly in a predeterminedplane with respect to the first member 40. Thus the members provide afirm connection for the skier in the disconnectably connected position.

The second member 42 is provided with a means operably connecting themeans movable of the second members 42 to the said second member. Forexample, a plurality of radially spaced-apart chambers 49 which housethe spheres 45 and which allow limited reciprocating motion of thespheres 45 are provided in the second member 42. Each of the chambers 49is provided with an opening or port 46. The ports 46 are formed topermit the spheres to partially extend out of the ports but not toescape from the chambers 49. The ports 46 are positioned to permit thespheres 45 in the second member 42 to extend out and engage in thegroove 44 of the first member 40. The ports are formed so that asubstantial portion of the spheres 45 may extend through the ports 46without allowing the spheres 45 to escape out of the chambers 49. Whenthe radially spaced-apart spheres 45 are extended out of the ports 46and engaged in the groove 44 in the first member 40, a connection ismade between the first and second members.

The ports 46 and spheres 45 and groove 44 are proportioned in a mannerso that the spheres 45 need not be completely extended to the limit outof the chambers 49 to fit snugly into the groove in the first member 40.

A resilient means is provided to urge the means movable of the secondmember into the groove provided in the first member. The resilient meansurges the spheres 45 out of the chambers 49 of the second member 42 andinto the groove 44 of the first member 40 to disconnectably connect themembers. The resilient means is adjustable so that the force urging thespheres into the groove can be varied. Therefore the force needed toseparate the first member 40 and the second member 42 is adjustable. Theresilient means is provided with a means for adjusting the force exertedby the resilient means. A relatively inflexible band 50, freelypositioned in channel 52, contacts the rearward portion of each of thespheres 45. The band 50 is spring-mounted by springs 55 and 56. Thesprings 55 and 56 and the band 50 cooperate to urge the spheres 45 outof ports 46 and against the groove 44 in the first member 40. However,it is readily seen that the members may be separated by apredeterminable amount of force applied on the members. When asufficient amount of force is applied, as for example the force appliedto the members in a forward fall by a skier, the second member 42 movesup over the fixedly mounted first member 40. The spheres 45 move backinto the chambers 49 and cause band 50 to expand. If the force is strongenough, the second member 42 will snap off the fixed member 40.

The first member 40 and the second member 42 are disconnectablyconnected together in a manner to allow relative angular movementbetween the members. In this respect it is not necessary or desirablethat the members freely rotate or move angularly with respect to oneanother. Rather, it is in accordance with this invention that someexternal force must be applied to overcome the friction between themembers and between the rotatable member and the ski to cause relativeangular motion between the members. The second member 42 is slidablewith respect to the ski and therefore it can move an angularly on theski.

Thus, in operation, the first member 40 is fixedly mounted to a ski. Thesecond member 42 is disconnectably connected to said first member 40 forrelative angular movement therewith. A ski boot holding a skiers foot isseated on the second member 42 and operably connected thereto as will befully described herein. While skiing, if a force exceeding apredetermined magnitude is exerted on the skiers leg and is transferredto the second member 42, the spheres 45 are pushed against the band 50and cause the band to force springs 55 and 56 to compress. In thismanner the second member 42 to which the skiers leg is affixed isallowed to separate from the first member 40 to which the ski isaffixed.

On the other hand, if a force is applied to the ski which although largein magnitude, does not come in a direction which causes the first andsecond members to separate as described above but rather which causes atwisting force to be applied to the skiers leg and thereby causes thetoe mounting of the ski binding to open and to free the skiers toe fromthe ski, the second member 42 to which the heel portion of the ski bootis afiixed will be rotated with respect to the first member 40 and tothe ski and thus damage to the skiers leg will not occur. It is aparticular advantage of the present invention that the skier isprotected from falls in which the first and second members will bedisconnected and from falls which cause a twisting force to be appliedto the ski causing the safety toe portion to release and in which thefirst and second members move angularly with respect to one another toprevent twisting of the skiers leg.

The adjusting means for adjusting the force exerted by the resilientmeans on the means movable of the second member will be fully describednow. The relatively inflexible band 50 which acts to distribute forceevenly on the spheres is provided with lugs 60 and 61. The lugs 60 and61 have holes for slidably receiving a shaft 63. The shaft 63 isrotatably mounted in bearings 68 and 70 and has threaded portions 65 and66. A pair of travelingnuts 71 and 72 are provided with threads matingwith the threads on the shaft 63. One nut is provided with left handthreads and the other with right hand threads. The nuts are slotted at93 and are keyed by suitable means such as keyway 73 to prevent the nutsfrom rotating as the shaft is rotated. The nuts are thus caused to movetoward each other when the shaft 63 is rotated in one direction and awayfrom each other when the shaft 63 is rotated in the opposite direction.A key 101, shown in phantom, fits in a keyhole in the head 102 of theshaft 63 to provide the rotational movement. A spring 55 is positionedin compression between nut 71 and lug 60 and a spring 56 is positionedin compression between lug 61 and nut 72. In this manner the band 50 isallowed to expand if enough force is applied to further compress thesprings. The force necessary to compress the springs is adjustable byrotating the shaft 63.

In accordance with this invention means for fixedly binding the ski bootto the second member 42 are provided. In a preferred form the bindingmeans also includes a flexible safety element to flexibly connect theski boot and the second member 42 to the first member and the ski whenfor some reason, for example a fall, the first and second members becomedisconnected. When a skier falls and a safety binding releases, theskier is freed from the ski. If there is no provision made for aflexible element, such as a strap to flexibly connect the skier and theski, the ski will be free to slide down the mountain. This can result ina serious accident if the loose ski strikes a person further down themountain, or in a lost ski.

A flexible strap 80 which is preferably made of leather is pivotallymounted by suitable means to the upper surface of the member 40 which isto be fixedly mounted to the ski. A suitable means for pivotallymounting the strap 80on the fixedly mounted member 40 includes a grommet82 which holds the strap 80 and which provides a bearing surface when abolt 81 mounts the strap on the fixedly mounted member 40. The strap 80lies flat along the top surface of the fixedly mounted member 40. Sincethe fixedly mounted first member 40 is slightly lower than the rotatablesecond member 42 the strap does not interfere with the heel of the skiboot. The rotatable member 42 is higher in cross section than thefixedly mounted member 40 in order that the ski boot can be seated onthe rotatable member 42 substantially without touching the fixedlymounted member 40 so as not to interfere with relative angular movementbetween the two members.

The rotatable second member 42 is provided with a channel 83 to receivethe strap 80 so that the strap 80 is recessed below the bottom of theski boot. The strap slidably extends through an eye member 84 providedon the rotatable member 42 and the strap is operably wrapped around theski boot. A buckle is provided on either eye member 84 or on a similareye member (not shown) on the other side of rotatable member 42 foroperably connecting the strap 80. When the first and second members aredisconnected the strap is a flexible connection between the skier andthe ski. Since the strap is pivotally mounted in the center of the fixedmember 40 it does not interfere with angular movement between the fixedmember 40 and the rotatable second member 42. The rotatable member 42 isprovided with a pair of lugs 85 and 76 which serve as means to connectthe ski binding means to the second member 42. The lugs 85 and 76 arealso useful to engage the lower sides of the ski boot and thus aid infirmly mounting the ski boot to the rotatable member 42. A bolt 86 and anut 87 fixedly mount the eye member 84 on the rotatable member 42. Themember 42 may for example be formed of two parts connected in a suitablemanner such as by screws 95.

It is contemplated that the strap 80 and the lugs 85 and 76 can fixedlyconnect the ski boot to the rotatable member 42. It is preferred howeverto also utilize a heel spring means to assist in binding the ski boot tothe rotatable member 42. The heel spring 34 may be, for example, fixedlyconnected to eye member 84 and pivotally mounted on lug 85 by a bolt 86,a nut 87, and a washer 88. A similar connection is made to lug 76. Theheel spring 34 extends around the back portion of the heel of the skiboot. A means is provided to tension and lock the heel spring. Theconstruction and operation of the heel spring is well known in the artand therefore it will not be described in detail in this specification.A heel spring suitable for use in this invention is fully described inUS. Pat. No. 3,009,710 issued Nov. 21, 1961.

To further describe the operation of the strap reference is made to FIG.1 where a general arrangement of a strap wrapped on a ski boot is shown.The strap when firmly wrapped around the ski boot serves to give a verydesirable connection for controlled skiing and it is a particularadvantage of this invention to provide a safety turntable so that a longthong may be used as a binding to obtain maximum control and stillretain all the advantages of a release binding. In the event that thefixed member 40 and the rotatable member 42 become disconnected as in afall, the strap remains wrapped around the ski boot and also remainsconnected to the fixedly mounted member. Thus the ski is flexibly connected to the ski boot and will not run away. A further advantageprovided by the flexible connection provided by strap 80 between thedisconnected members, is that while the ski is not fixedly mounted tothe ski boot it is still not so loose as to freely thrash around andthus endanger the skier.

When for some reason the disconnectably connected members 40 and 42 aredisconnected and it is desired to reconnect them, it can be seen thatthe members may be snapped together. The rounded shoulder 11 of fixedlymounted member 40 is helpful in guiding the rotatable member 42 into itsproper position and makes it easier to connect the members than todisconnect them. The lower inner edge of the rotatable member 42 mayalso be beveled as indicated by the numeral 12 to aid in guiding themembers together. A special feature in the construction of the chambers49 containing the spheres 45 makes it easier to snap the first andsecond members together than it is to disconnect the members. This isadvantageous because the two members are most often coupled togetherusing the fingers. The upper wall 90 of each of the chambers housing thespheres is sloped away from the port 46 as shown clearly in FIG. 4. Inthis manner when the rotatable member 42 is pushed down over the fixedlymounted member 40 when the members are being coupled the spheres 45 willmore easily slide back into the chambers because of the relatively lessfriction between the sphere and sloped wall 90. On the other hand thelower walls 91 of the chambers 49 are not sloped. Therefore the spheres45 move less easily against the lower wall 91 and a greater force istherefore required to slip the spheres back into the chambers and tothus disconnect the first and second members.

An alternative arrangement of apparatus in accordance with thisinvention is illustrated in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. A member for fixedlymounting on a ski is provided with a circularly extending groove 111. Arotatable member is provided for cooperation with the fixedly mountablemember 110. The rotatable member 120 is capable of angular movement withrespect to the fixedly mountable member 110. A means for disconnectablyconnecting the rotatable member and the fixedly mountable member isprovided. The means for disconnectably connecting the members allowsrelative angular motion of the members with respect to each other. Therotatable member 120 is provided with a portion 121 for seating a skiboot. Means 122 are provided on the rotatable member 120 for operablyconnecting a ski boot to the rotatable member 120. The fixedly mountablemember 120 is provided with suitable holes for mounting the member on aski.

Means movable for engaging the circularly extending groove 111 of thefixedly mountable member 110 in a plurality of spaced-apart locationsare operably connected to the rotatable member 120. For example pistonmembers 123 are partially extendible through ports 124 of chambers 125.The piston members 123 are adapted for limited reciprocating movement inthe chambers 125. Resilient means, such as springs 127, normally urgethe piston members to extend out of the ports 124 and into engagementwith the circularly extending groove 111 of fixedly mountable member 110to disconnectably connect the rotatable member 120 to the fixedlymountable member 1 10.

A particular feature of the alternative embodiment of apparatus isprovided by the individual adjustment of the force of each spring 127acting on the piston members 123. The adjustment of each spring 127 isaccomplished individually by rotating a plug 130 which has a threadedportion 131. The threaded portion 131 of the plug mates with threads 132provided in the rear portion of each chamber 125. A keyhole 133 isprovided at the rear of each of the plugs 130. When it is desired toadjust the force of a spring a key 140 is inserted into the keyhole 133and the plug is screwed in the appropriate direction.

The fixedly mountable member 1 10 is provided with a sloping shoulder142 which assists in smoothly depressing the piston members 123 as therotatable member 120 is positioned on and disconnectably connected tothe fixedly mountable member 110. A means 144 for pivotally mounting aflexible element is provided on member 110.

1 It is apparent that modifications other than those described hereinmay be made to the apparatus of this invention without departing fromthe inventive concept.'lt is intended that the invention embrace allequivalents within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A safety turntable for use in a ski binding comprising a first memberadapted to be fixedly mounted on a ski, a circularly extending groove insaid first member, a second member having a surface for seating the heelportion of a ski boot, means movable operably connected to said secondmember and extendible into said groove in said first member fordisconnectably connecting said second member to said first member, andresilient means in said second member urging said means movable intooperable engagement with said groove in said first member.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 including an adjusting means for adjustingthe resilient means to vary the force exerted on said means movable bysaid resilient means.

3. A safety turntable for use in a ski binding comprising a first memberadapted to be fixedly mounted on a ski, a circularly extending groove insaid first member, a second member having a surface for seating the heelportion of a ski boot, means movable operably connected to said secondmember and extendible into said groove in said first member fordisconnectably connecting said second member to said first member,resilient means in said second member urging said means movable intooperable engagement with said groove in said first member, and means onsaid second member for operably connecting a ski boot to said secondmember.

4, A safety turntable for use in disconnectably connecting a ski boot toa ski comprising a first member, means for mounting said first member toa ski, a circularly extending groove in said first member, a secondmember, a relatively flat portion on said second member for seating theheel portion of a ski boot, a plurality of radially spaced chambers insaid second member, port means in said second member communicating withsaid chambers, means movable in said chambers partially extendible outof said port means for operably engaging said circularly extendinggroove, and resilient means in said second member normally urging saidmeans movable into said groove to disconnectably connect said first andsaid second member.

5. The safety turntable of claim 4 including means provided in themembers to require a greater force to disconnect the members than toconnect the members.

6. The safety turntable of claim 5 where the said means includes asloping wall in each of the chambers.

7. A safety turntable for use in disconnectably connecting a ski boot toa ski comprising a first member, means for mounting said first member toa ski, a circularly extending groove in said first member, a secondmember, a relatively flat portion on said second member for seating theheel portion of a ski boot, a plurality of radially spaced chambers insaid second member, port means in said second member communicating withsaid chambers, means movable in said chambers partially extendible outof said port means for operably engaging said circularly extendinggroove, resilient means normally urging said means movable into saidgroove to disconnectably connect said first and said second member, andadjusting means for adjusting the force exerted on said means movable bysaid resilient means.

8 A safety turntable for use in disconnectably connecting a ski boot toa ski comprising a first member, means for fixedly mounting said firstmember to a ski, a circularly extending groove in said first member, asecond member, a relatively flat portion on said second member forseating the heel portion of a ski boot, a plurality of radially spacedchambers in said second member, port means in said second membercommunicating with said chambers, means movable in said chamberspartially extendible out of said port means for operably engaging saidcircularly extending groove, resilient means normally urging said meansmovable into said groove to disconnectably connect said first and saidsecond member, adjusting means for adjusting the force exerted on saidmeans movable by said resilient means, and means on said first memberfor pivotally mounting a flexible element.

9. Apparatus for use in a ski binding comprising at least a pair ofmembers including a first member adapted to be fixedly mounted to a skiand a second member having means for afiixing a ski boot thereto,circularly extending groove means in one of the members, means movableoperably connected in the other of the members and extendable into saidgroove means, resilient means urging said means movable into operableengagement with said groove means to disconnectably connect said membersand means for adjusting the force exerted by said resilient means.

10. A safety turntable for use in a ski binding comprising a firstmember for fixedly mounting on a ski, a second member having a portionfor seating on a ski boot, connecting means disconnectably connectingsaid second member and said first member, connecting means allowing saidsecond member to be disconnected from said first member at any relativeangular alignment between the members by a predetermined force, meanspermitting said second member to move angularly in a predeterminableplane with respect to said ski when the members are disconnectablyconnected, means provided in the members to require a greater force todisconnect the members than to connect the members, and adjusting meansfor adjusting the amount of force required to to disconnect said secondmember from said first memben

1. A safety turntable for use in a ski binding comprising a first memberadapted to be fixedly mounted on a ski, a circularly extending groove insaid first member, a second member having a surface for seating the heelportion of a ski boot, means movable operably connected to said secondmember and extendible into said groove in said first member fordisconnectably connecting said second member to said first member, andresilient means in said second member urging said means movable intooperable engagement with said groove in said first member.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1 including an adjusting means for adjusting theresilient means to vary the force exerted on said means movable by saidresilient means.
 3. A safety turntable for use in a ski bindingcomprising a first member adapted to be fixedly mounted on a ski, acircularly extending groove in said first member, a second member havinga surface for seating the heel portion of a ski boot, means movableoperably connected to said second member and extendible into said groovein said first member for disconnectably connecting said second member tosaid first member, resilient means in said second member urging saidmeans movable into operable engagement with said groove in said firstmember, and means on said second member for operably connecting a skiboot to said second member.
 4. A safety turntable for use indisconnectably connecting a ski boot to a ski comprising a first member,means for mounting said first member to a ski, a circularly extendinggroove in said first member, a second member, a relatively flat portionon said second member for seating the heel portion of a ski boot, aplurality of radially spaced chambers in said second member, port meansin said second member communicating with said chambers, means movable insaid chambers partially extendible out of said port means for operablyengaging said circularly extending groove, and resilient means in saidsecond member normally urging said means movable into said groove todisconnectably connect said first and said second member.
 5. The safetyturntable of claim 4 including means provided in the members to requirea greater force to disconnect the members than to connect the members.6. The safety turntable of claim 5 where the said means includes asloping wall in each of the chambers.
 7. A safety turntable for use indisconnectably connecting a ski boot to a ski comprising a first member,means for mounting said first member to a ski, a circularly extendinggroove in said first member, a second member, a relatively flat portionon said second member for seating the heel portion of a ski boot, aplurality of radially spaced chambers in said second member, port meansin said second member communicating with said chambers, means movable insaid chambers partially extendible out of said port means for operablyengaging said circularly extending groove, resilient means normallyurging said means movable into said groove to disconnectably connectsaid first and said second member, and adjusting means for adjusting theforce exerted on said means movable by said resilient means.
 8. A safetyturntable for use in disconnectably connecting a ski boot to a skicomprising a first member, means for fixedly mounting said first memberto a ski, a circularly extending groove in said first member, a secondmember, a relatively flat portion on said second member for seating theheel portion of a ski boot, a plurality of radially spaced chambers insaid second member, port means in said second member communicating withsaid chambers, means movable in said chambers partially extendible outof said port means for operably engaging said circularly extendinggroove, resilient means normally urging said means movable into saidgroove to disconnectably connect said first and said second member,adjusting means for adjusting the force exerted on said means movable bysaid resilient means, and means on said first member for pivotallymounting a flexible element.
 9. Apparatus for use in a ski bindingcomprising at least a pair of members including a first member adaptedto be fixedly mounted to a ski and a second member having means foraffixing a ski boot thereto, circularly extending groove means in one ofthe members, means movable operably connected in the other of themembers and extendable into said groove means, resilient means urgingsaid means movable into operable engagement with said groove means todisconnectably connect said members and means for adjusting the forceexerted by said resilient means.
 10. A safety turntable for use in a skibinding comprising a first member for fixedly mounting on a ski, asecond member having a portion for seating on a ski boot, connectingmeans disconnectably connecting said second member and said firstmember, connecting means allowing said second member to be disconnectedfrom said first member at any relative angular alignment between themembers by a predetermined force, means permitting said second member tomove angularly in a predeterminable plane with respect to said ski whenthe members are disconnectably connected, means provided in the membersto require a greater force to disconnect the members than to connect themembers, and adjusting means for adjusting the amount of force requiredto to disconnect said second member from said first member.